Cooling system



Sept- 23, 1930. F, G. CARRINGTON 1,776,543

COOLING SYSTEM Filed March 25. 1927 Snowdon f6'. CHRRINGTa/V ffl 4Sheets-Sheet Sept. 23, 1930. Ff G. cARRlNGToN COOLING SYSTEM' Filed.March 25. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Sept. 23, 1930. F. G. cARRlNGToN COOLING SYSTEM Filed March 23.

).927 4 Skwets-Slwerl Syvum/Wo@ @H01 was,

Sept- 23, 1930. F. G. CARRINGTN 1,776,543

COOLING SYSTEM Filed March 23. .1.927 4 Sheets-Sheet.

. h V I 9 I 9 i Patented l Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICEFRANK G. CARRINGTON, OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR TO FERRIC ENGINEER-I ING COMPANY, OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE COOLINGSYSTEM I Application led March 23, 192'?.A Serial No. 177,652.

This invention relates to a cooling system, and more particularly to acooling system in a centrifugal casting apparatus where it is desired toprogressively cool themold.

While my invention may be employed in any of thevmethods -for casting bya centrifugal process, it is particularly adapted for use in theso-called endpouring trough process. In this process, metal is pouredfrom the end of a trough. over which a rotating mold telescopes, wherebythe molten metalis built up in spirally related columns on the interiorof the mold.

Diiiiculty has been' experienced in effecting av proper cooling of themold, and as a result the operative lives of the molds have beenshortened, and there have been certain delehowever, the cooling has beencommenced terious effects in the cast objects, principally brittleness,which has necessitated an annealing process for the casting. There havebeen various cooling systems devised to take care of this situation,most of which have consisted in surrounding the mold with a waterjacket. Others' have provided pipes for sprinkling the mold with acooling medium.

In all the systems heretofore employed,

along the length of the mold at the same moment. The metal, however, ispoured from the end of a trough which moves axially with respect to themold, so that there is an interval between the pouring at the two endsof the mold. Inasmuch as the cooling is commencedfat the same time,metal is poured on; successive portions .of the mold which have beencooled for different periods of time, and which portions therefore areof different temperatures. This means ,that

a casting is subjected to different cooling along its length, especiallywith reference to initial cooling upon coming into contact with themold.

Inasmuch as the cooling eflect on the mold is transferred tothe pouredmetal,this variance in the cooling of the mold makes for a longitudinaldifferential in the cooling of the metalin other Words, the metal pouredat the spigot end ofthe mold is cooled more `rapidly than at the bellend. As the texturel n etwa casting is a function of its cooling, 'theployed have also necessitated a subsequent an-l nealing process. Therehave Vbeen nomeans adapted for a gradual coolirg of the mold,`

and necessarily of the molten metal, but, on the contrary, the coolinghas been so sudden that the cast pipes have been case chilled. Annealinghas been necessary to render such case chilled pipes usable.

The problem is, therefore, one of cooling lthe mold so that itis'capable of functioning over a series of castings, and at the sametime preventing the too rapid cooling, and consequent case chilling, ofthe poured metal. To accomplish this is one .of the objects of thisinvention.

Another object of this invention is to devise a method of cooling amold.

Still another object of thisl invention is to devise a method ofprogressively cooling a mold in a 4centrifugal casting apparatus.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a cooling'system fora mold.

A further object of this invention is to provide a system-for cooling arotary mold at a predetermined relationship to the deposition of moltenmetal within the mold.

A still further object is to provide a cooling system, whereby the moldin a centrifugal casting apparatus may be cooled progressively and atvariant rates along its length.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a cooling systemfor a centrifugal casting mold whereby the mold is subjected to thecooling action only as metal is deposited therein. f N To accomplish theabove, and other im- "i erating the individual cooling members so r thatadditional increments of the mold are Each group of pipes is independentof the eooled, or so that a section of the mold;` which progresses itslength, is cooled.

To insure' a more accurate comprehension of my invention, but in no waylimiting myself to the particularapparatus and details therein setforth, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in` which similarnumerals indicate corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the complete invention;

' Fig. 2.is a side-elevational view of the apparatus with a portion ofthe mold cut away;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view yalong the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of one of the sectional pipes along theline 4 4 of l Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig.` 5 is a detailed view of the truck arm shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a top view of a ladle truck and valves by the operation ofwhich a mold is cooled in a section which progresses longitudinallyofthe mold;

Fig. 7 isa detailed view of the valve partially in section, along theline 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the valve on the line 8-8 'of' Fig. 7; Y

Fig. 9 is a top elevational' view of a valve, being a modification ofthe valves shown in Fig. 6. wherebythecooling effected by a sec-'- tionis terminated by stages; I

Fig. 10 is an adaptation of the invention, in which molten metal isdepositedbefore the cooling commences; Fig. 11 is another adaptationinwhich cooling of the mold precedes the deposition of metal.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, a casting mold l having a bellend 2' and a spigot end 3, is mounted upon trunnions 4 supported onroller boxes 5. The mold is rotated by mechanical means,not shown in thedrawings,I the rotation generating the centrifugal force necessary todisperse the metal over theinterior surface of the mold.

lStandards are spaced along the length of the mold and mounted thereuponare blocks 7. Cooling sections comprising independent pipes'8 closedat'both ends, extend longitudi- -nally of the mold and are supported inthel blocks 7. These pipes have apertures to disperse acooling mediumupon the mold.

groups in the other sections of the system, but the pipes of each groupare connected to a supply pipe for that group by the feed pipes9. f

Valves 10 are mounted'inthe`system,'a`s indicated, to cutoH or regulatenear the standards the supply of cooling medium into -any-desiredsectio.' Adjustment of these valves enables a different cooling effectalong the length of the pipe to he Lhtained. This v1spf'co'isiderablevalue for tfis frequently lnecessary to increase thecooling ofl the bell end, because of the greater deposition of metalthere, for instance. l

The medium isl conveyed to the dispersing pipes by the independentsupply pipes 11 and 11 on which are mounted near their junction with aconduit 12 valves 13, 15, and 16.

These valves have levers 14 for opening or closing the passages.therefore may be operated and controlled by the valves 13. It will beobserved that the valves are regularly spaced, except for the two firstvalves 15 and 16, which are in closer proximity, lthe reason thereforappearing hereinafter.

-An end pouring trough` 17, for conveying molten metal from a ladle 18to that place in the mold where it is desired to deposit Any desiredsection the metal, is mounted on a truck 19, which linger rod that itsend willhe capable oflcon= tact'with the levers 14 of the valves 13, 15

and 16, opening 'the valves when passing alon the track to the right. Inorder that this nger rod may be raised so that the truck may pass alongthe track 21 without coming finto contact with `the levers, a hinge 23is provided so that the lower portion of the inl ger may belraised.

At the commencement of a pouring operation, the truck is placed attheend of the track adjacent the mold and during'the process is moved tothe right by mechanical means, not

shown. During this passage the finger comes *I mto progressive contactwith thelevers 14,

opening the valves and consequently bringing into playsuccessivesections of the cooling system. At the termination of the castingoperation the entire series ofsections will be dispersing a coolingmedium upon 'the Lexterioi` of the mold, and `when it is desired toremove the cast pipe thevalves 13, 15 and 16 may be closed manually, orbysuitable mechanical means.

In Fig. 2 there is a more detailed illustra-` the left until the spoutor end 26 of the trough' is at approximately l27. The valve 15,admitting the fluid tothe leftmost section is opened l beforeor at thesame time :the pouring is commenced. Inasmuch as a greater thickness isrequired at the bell end of the pipe than at the barrel of the pipe, thetrough remains substantially stationary at 27 for a short time.-

When a sufiicientamount of metal has been deposited, the truck beginsits movement to the' right, and in the process the finger rod opens thevalve 16 when the spout of the l trough reaches 28. This causes the nextsec- Fig. 2 also sets forth a base 29 on lwhich the mold an`d majorportion of the cooling system is supported. It will be noted that thetrack 21 is on a somewhat lower plane,

although this is not necessary. The supply pipesI 11 and 11", conduit12, and valves are below the track 21, which necessitates the angleformation of the finger rod 23.

In Fig. 3, a' cross sectional view of the mold and .cooling apparatus,the staggered alignment of the dispersing pipes 8 is'shown. This can becompensated-for, ho\vever,vby so arran in fthe a ertures in the pipethatthel g g P stream of the mediumis directed on themold at any desiredplace.v As -before stated, the ends of the pipes 8 are closed as-at 30.This figure also shows Vthe arcuate shape of the .'upply pipes 11, andthe standards 6.

The apertures 31 in thepipes 8 are regularly spaced as shown in Fig. 4,although under certain conditions other arrangements may be made. Themounting of the pipes 8 in the blocks 7 is of such a nature as topreclude a loosening or slipping of the pipes `in respect to the mold,and the ends 30 of the pipes are set flush with the far side of theblock 7.

The finger rod 22 is provided with a hinge 23, through which a bolt, orother suitable pivot "32, as shown in Fig. 5 ,`extends. This enables anoperator to raise the lower portion 22 when returning the truck to thestarting position. If the valve is incapable of movementcounter-clockwise, and the hinge-is easily' operated, it4 is unnecessaryto manually p raise the lower part of the rod 22', for upon coming intocontact with the lever 14, the

lower part will swing upwardly The complete invention is designed toprovide a method of progressively cooling a mold by extendingthe coolingarea in stages as the metal is deposited therein, the progression beingconsistent with the deposition of the metal stream. While this is not asteady progression but one wherein increments are added, by shorteningthe sections the sectional effect will be so slight as to be negligible.But regardless of the length of the sections, all that portion of themold is cooled which has upon its interior surface a hot mass of metal,and the cooling is not'eifected until practically the moment atwhich themetal is poured.

It will benoted that the commencement of the sprinkling Within anincrement is simultancous throughout that increment, and in this respectthe apparatus which is the subject of this invention, differs from thecooling system covered by my copending application Serial No. 172,355,filed March 3, 1927'. All the foregoing refers to a cooling system inwhich, at the moment pouring ceases, the

entire mold is being cooled. When the leftmost section is once put inoperation it continues until the termination of the complete process,This means that the different sections are subjected to differentperiods of cooling, the bell end, for instance, being cooled for alonger period than the spigot, or plain, end. Usually this variation isimma- ,teriah for the cooling is of vital importance only when metal iswithin. the critical range of temperature. The resulting microstructureof the metal is dependent upon the speed at which the metal passesthrough this range.

Above and below the critical temperatures the metal .may be cooledrapidly or slowly without any appreciable eii'ect upon its structure.

The system heretofore described is designed to avoid asudden and rapidcooling of the metal within the critical range. As stated, however,there does remain a differential cooling between the spigot and bellends of the`pipe.- 1t may therefore, under certain circumstances, bedesirable to provide a cooling system, bythe operation of which eachportion of the mold is subjected to the same7 amount of cooling as everyother portion, articula rly with reference tothe length o time it iscooled. This is accomplished by providing a system in Which a sectionalcooling is effected. The cooling section, of any desired length,progresses longitudinally of the mold. This means that, as the sectionprogresses, any given point on the mold' is cooled for the same lengthof time as every other point, provided the number of cooling units in aprogressive section remains constant, and that there is no accelerationin the speed at which the section travels.r

This progression, as in thc case of incre- .mental cooling heretoforedescribed, accomplished by the apparatus shown 1n Figures 1 llt) neouslythroughout the length'v of each stage.

Il have shown in Figures 6 to11 inclusive an apparatus'for accomplishingthis type of cooling. Certain modifications are embodied in the varioustypes illustrated in the Iigures.

In Figure 6 there is shown the trough 17,

`the ladle 18, mounted on the truck 1 9, the

supply pipes 1l and 11 and the conduit 12, all as'shown in theprecedingfig'ures.

The linger rod 22 is shown mounted on the truck, its exact positionhowever being changed from that occupied 1n Figs. 1 and 2.

As will appear hereafter, the position of this arm is immaterial,provided it is in a proper spaced relationship to an arm which is shownin Figure (i. Both of these arms are provided with hinges 23 asheretofore described.

Secured to the pipes 11 and 34, which latter pipe is joined to theconduit 12, is a valve'. v

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8,*this valve comprises a casing which isScrew-threaded to the pipes 11 and 34, as at 36. Threaded upon thiscasing is a cap 37 having a-central aperture therein. A valve stem 38passes through this aperture and is secured to the valve 39, shown inthis drawing as of' the mushroom type. The valve rests within the valveseat 4l, and is held in fluid-tight contact therewith by means of' ahelical spring 42, the upper portion of which presses against the cap37. The valve is provided with a channel 43, of' the same size and shapeas the channels 44 of the valve seat and 45 of the casing.

When in alignment with the two last mentioned channels the valve channelpermits the passage .of Water from the pipe 34 to the lpipe 11. Thisvalve may be rotated within the seat and its channel turned `asindicated by the dotted lines 46 in Fig. 8. When in this last positionthe valve aHords a waterf tight obstruction in the"` path of th channels44 and 45 of the valve seatand casing. It will be observed that toinsure this obstruction to the flow of water, it is necessary to rotatethe valve 90.

Upon the upper portion of the valve stem 38' there is aiiixed Va spindle47 secured to the stem by meansof a bolt 48, or other suitableyfasteningmeans, in order to prevent rotation of the spindle withrespect to the stem. The

'spindle supports four lever arms 49, at right angles to each other. l

The finger vrods 22 and 33 in passing `the valves, turn the valve leversthrough an arc of 90. This in turn effects a rotation of the valve 39,and closes the flow of waterjf the valve is open. If, on the other hand,the valve is closed, the finger rod 22 opens the valve.

As the truck moves from left to right, and

'and 33,- and the speed at which the truck moves, determine the lengthof time any given cooling section is'in operation. Variations,therefore, in the distance of the two fingers may be made in or-dertoaccomplish any desired result for a particular casting operation.

It will be noted that the Valves are closed rapidly and the cooling byany section terminated abruptly. It is sometimes desirable to stop thecooling gradually, and to accom-v plish this I have shown in Figure 9 amodification of the valve employed.

The valve casing, seat, and valve stem may be of same type as that shownin Figures 7 and 8. Instead of having only four levers, however, thereare providedtwelve levers or spokes 5l, mounted upon the spindle 47.

The arm 22 is providedforl opening the valves, but there are three arms52, instead of only one, for closing the valves. The arm 22 is of alength to contact with the spokes at a point on their radii, where arotation of 90 may be effected. As above pointed out,-

this is a suflicient movement of rotation to cooling. The farther apartthe arms 52 are spaced, the more gradual will be the termination of thecooling. It may be desirable under certain circumstances to employ onlyone arm 52, reducing the coolingeiect one third at some determined timeand then allowing the cooling to continue thus diminished. For instance,after the temperature of the casting has dropped below/ the criticalranges, it may be desirable to decrease, yet

' not terminate altogether, the cooling of the mold. lAnothermodification may embrace an apparatus in which the positions of the arms22. and 52are transposed, so that the cooling is gradually commenced butsuddenly terminated. Or again, a plurality of arms 52 may be employed toboth gradually commence and graduallyterminate the cooling.

In Figure-2 there shown a synchronizalll) tion of the cooling andpouring in which the two operations are practically concomitant. This isusually the preferred method, but unf.,

mi. der certain circumstances it may be. desirable f to have the coolingprecede, or, under other circumstances, to follow the pouring. While thecooling in Figure 2 isA incremental, it can readily be seen how thisconcomitant cooling might easily be effected in the case of a cooling bya progressive section. In Figure 10 I Vhave shown a portion of'a moldand cooling apparatus in-whic'h a rogressive section fol.- lows thepouring onf-.t e metal. In this'par'- ticular ure the cooling succeedsthe pourstance of approximately one cool-' ing unit. This distance maybe varied, either ing at a Y' increasing or diminishing the distance,and consequently the time, between the pouring and cooling. Under suchan arrangement, the metal is poredin a mold of substantially atmospherictemperature, and after the metal is cooled for a certain period,independent of artificial cooling, the apparatus increases the rapidityofthe cooling. This might be especially desirable-for instance,

-whee a metal is poured at aj temperature within,\'or just above, itscritical range. In

this Way itwould pass through the range at ,a slowrate, and then theartificial cooling would cxpediteits reduction to a temperature atwhich'it might be removed from the mold.

As pointed `out hereinbefore, it lis of primeA importance that a metalpass through its critical range Aof temperature at a controlled speed,for the I cooling within that ran e de# termines certain properties-kofthe finished casting simultaneously wit deposition of metal inthe mold.

o In Figure 11 the cooling precedes the deposition of metal.l Here againthe precedence `isby one coolin unit, which as above stated,

may be vari with -diierent operations. When the cooling precedes thedeposition of metal the mold. is considerably reduced in temperature bythe time metal is poured in it. Under some 'circumstances this may befound desirable. It may be that wh'ere a metal is poured at aconsiderably higher temv perature than its critical range, this methodwould expedite the drop in temperature of the metal to the criticalrange, and. from th'ence onwardtthe metal cools unaided by arti cialmeans. y Y

the.- foregoing I` have shown certain modifications of 4my invention.-It Ais to be understood that the same general principles underlie allapplications of my invention. .Tbhe relationsh1 of thecooling and thepouring applies wit equal force, whether it be. an incremental coolingor a cooling ina progressive section. Under certain conditions' ofoperation it may be extremely desirable to insure that when metal ispoured that orti'on ofthe mold receiving the metal is 0 the sametemperature a every other portion of the mold at the moment metal ispoured, and

especiallythat every'particle of metal passes jthroughits critipal raneat a` uniform speed,

regar less o f the positlon in the mold I:that

such'a particle is deposited. My apparatuses and processescan be sooperatedl as to ac-- f complish-this andotherldesirable results.

M invention insures a slwerand more gradiial cooling than` is thecasewith the .coo g systems heretofore em loyed.1 The cooliiig effect of thelatter has been so acute l and rapid as to cause a case chillin of thecast pipe,1andinlorder to render suc a pipe usable, it is necessarytosubject it to an annealing process whereby the outer surface islsoftened to an extent where it 'is 'possible to employ it in ordinaryoperations. The obviatIon of such a costly and time consmin step as'annealin by this invention will facilitate the rapi and-more effectivecasting of metal pi e.

Where I ave used theiterm pipe in the specification and claims," it isto be understood as covering a casting of any descrip- .tion produced bythe centrifu al process.

is also to be understood that t e wordfiron isnot to limit the use ofmyinvention to the production of` ferrouscastings. M invengio tion may 'beemployed to cast'artic es comf posed o any material.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I Wish it tobe understood that I do vnot confine myself totheprecise details of construction herein setv forth, by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may emade therein, by those skilled in the art, withoutY departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope` of the appen ed claims.

I claim: l

1. A 'system for cooling-a mold in a cenltrifugal casting'prgcesscomprising a series and means to successively operate the valves.

- 3.. A rotary casting'apparatus comprising a 'revolvable mold,supported longitudinally thereabove independent sections of a coolingsystem,- feed lines for -the sections having .valves therein, a pouringtrough capable of longitudinal movement with respect to the mo1d,andmeans associated with the` oui-ing trough for'opening in succession .t esaid valves. v r

- 4. A'frotary casting apparatus comprisin a rotatab mold, supportedthereabove an extendin mold aV series of independent sections of pairedpipes for discharging acooling fluid upon theexterior of the mold, anindependent feed' linepwith valve niounted thereon, for each section, atrough extendin within the moldAY and adapted to be with rawn whilemolten netal is poured therefrom, a ladling device attached to thetrough and capable of movement as the trough is withdrawn from the mold,and means on the ladling device for lopening theabove 'mentionedvalves.' v

substantially the length lof the 5. A rotary mold Cooling systemcomprising. individual cooling sections, means for commencing andterminating the operation of the individual sections and other Ameans-synchronized with the deposition of metal in the mold for actuating the{irst mentioned means. y

6. A centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a rotatable mold*` atrough adapted to move-axially with respect to the mold, a sectionalcooling system, individual valves for admitting a -eooling medium to thesections,

and means coacting with the trough for openinfr and closing the valves.Y

A, centrifugal casting -apparatus comprising a mold mounted forrotation, a ladling device, the mold and ladling device relativelymovable with respect to each other, a plurality of independent pipesmounted adjacent lthe mold and adapted to disperse a cooling iuidthereon, means for regulating the admissionof a cooling fluid to theseveral pipes, and means'carried by the ladle for actua-ting the lastmentioned means ina definite relationv to the deposition of metalwithinthe mold.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

FRANK G. CARRINGTON.

